Two teams still in search of their first wins of the 2024 Major League Soccer season go head-to-head at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday as Austin FC play host to Philadelphia Union.
The hosts had to make do with a share of the spoils last time out, while their visitors will be looking to bounce back from a 6-0 thrashing.
Match preview
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Austin FC played out a second straight stalemate as they drew 2-2 against St. Louis City when the teams went head-to-head in Texas on Sunday.
Josh Wolff's men led 1-0 and 2-1 through strikes from Matt Hedges and Julio Cascante but were pegged back on either occasion by Eduard Lowen and Celio Pompeu.
As a result, Los Verdes have dropped down to 11th position in the Western Conference of the MLS table, one point off playoff contention.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten from the previous two editions of this fixture, winning and drawing one game apiece.
Currently on a run of one win in six home matches leading up to Sunday's affair, the hosts set out to get themselves going in front of their fans.
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Philadelphia Union saw their CONCACAF Champions Cup journey come to an end owing to a 6-0 defeat against Mexican side Pachuca on Wednesday.
Jim Curtin's men conceded a hat-trick to Salomon Rondon after which Nelson Deossa, Oussama Idrissi and Alan Bautista put the outcome beyond doubt.
Prior to that, Zolos saw their league clash against Seattle Sounders end abruptly due to bad weather and have consequently dropped to 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Ahead of a daunting assignment against division leaders Portland Timbers seven days later, Sunday's visitors will be keen to pick up a morale-boosting result this weekend.
Team News
Leo Vaisanen is set to miss a third consecutive match due to a muscle injury he sustained against Minnesota United back in late February.
Julio Cascante has started every league game for the home side since then and is expected to retain his place in the lineup this weekend.
Midfielder Leon Flach remains without an appearance for Philadelphia Union in over three months as he continues to nurse a knee problem.
This weekend's visitors are also set to be without 21-year-old Isaiah LeFlore, although he is closing in on a return to action from an ankle injury.
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Cascante, Hedges, Kolmanic; Jimenez, Ring; Obrian, Rubio, Finlay; Zardes
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Harriel, Wagner; Martinez, McGlynn; Bedoya, Sullivan, Gazdag; Uhre
We say: Austin FC 1-1 Philadelphia Union
Clean sheets have been at a premium for both sides of late, and we expect neither of them to come away unbroken from this one. We are also backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the sound of the final whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
